Covington evacuees still await word to return home

COVINGTON COUNTY, MS (WDAM) - More than two dozen families in Covington County still have no idea when they will be allowed to return home.

The families were evacuated on Tuesday, December 28 following a gas leak in cavern #3 at Williams Gas Pipeline on Salt Dome Road near Seminary. Company officials say they are continuing to work with the families to meet their daily needs.

Crews continue to work around the clock so that the evacuated residents can return to their homes as soon as possible.

Since the leak was discovered Williams has removed approximately 1.25 billion cubic feet from the cavern. The process will continue until the pressure with-in the cavern reaches zero.

Monitoring wells are now being drilled with-in the area to ensure that natural gas is not migrating into the water table and representatives from the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health continue to monitor air quality and have not discovered any adverse readings.

Company officials say they realize this is an inconvenience and appreciate the families patience and understanding throughout the process.

When we are in the throes of the holidays we often forget to take care of ourselves. The doctors at Merit Health Medical group said it's the simple things we forget like: drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and eating right. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Jonathan Reves reminded us the little things can make a big impact on our health. He said to keep this in mind. "You have to watch out for number one," Reves said. Dr. Reves of Merit Health Medical...

When we are in the throes of the holidays we often forget to take care of ourselves. The doctors at Merit Health Medical group said it's the simple things we forget like: drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep and eating right. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Jonathan Reves reminded us the little things can make a big impact on our health. He said to keep this in mind. "You have to watch out for number one," Reves said. Dr. Reves of Merit Health Medical...

Health Help Hattiesburg is offering free healthcare enrollment applications and assistance to residents. Program Manager Samantha Wells says that open enrollment ends December 15 and they want to make sure that everyone gets insured. “We want them to go ahead and give us a call and we can try to help them out and guide them through the process for free.” Wells says that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is still here and that the health insurance plans will not be affected ...

Health Help Hattiesburg is offering free healthcare enrollment applications and assistance to residents. Program Manager Samantha Wells says that open enrollment ends December 15 and they want to make sure that everyone gets insured. “We want them to go ahead and give us a call and we can try to help them out and guide them through the process for free.” Wells says that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is still here and that the health insurance plans will not be affected ...

Authorities said two street gangs are responsible for a Monday afternoon shooting at the Bonhomie Apartments, where three people were injured and over 70 shots were fired. Around 1 p.m. on Dec. 11, Hattiesburg police responded to a report of shots fired at 1810 Country Club Road, Bonhomie Apartments. “Within minutes we had subjects into custody, within hours we had many subjects in custody,” said Hattiesburg Police Captain Branden McLemore. According to police, the two ...

Authorities said two street gangs are responsible for a Monday afternoon shooting at the Bonhomie Apartments, where three people were injured and over 70 shots were fired. Around 1 p.m. on Dec. 11, Hattiesburg police responded to a report of shots fired at 1810 Country Club Road, Bonhomie Apartments. “Within minutes we had subjects into custody, within hours we had many subjects in custody,” said Hattiesburg Police Captain Branden McLemore. According to police, the two ...